THIS REVIEW WAS WRITTEN FOR PALIO SPORT 1.2 BUT GOES EFFECTIVELY FOR STILE TOO, SHE IS FROM THE SAME STABLE.
Well, how I get this car was a part of destiny, just like our life is, but now I feel lucky like we shud for life also...So, I planned of buying a car, preferably a hatchback, with a budget around 3.5+, in december2003, thinking of getting sm bargain but largely I was looking for a car which should be more than just another 4 wheel transport, measuring length of Indian roads or potholes, watever.... The very first car I took test ride of was indica Xeta 1.2, then I drove hyundai Xing-XL, then getz, then estilo then U-va then stile and palio 1.2 sport which I was getting at very huge discount and before the spark was launched I bought my car...
Now after driving these all, I finally concluded that if I go and compromise with quality of ride along with security and stuff, I am comfortable with my budget but for a superior ride, I have to raise the bar as far as my budget is concern... Or do something else...
Xeta: the space was there but u may have to repair ur left ankle if u keep driving this car for so long....
Xing: a very good peppy car but lacking the punch of solidness I was looking for.
Getz: nicest car amongst lot but above budget.
Estilo: don’t buy it
Uva: ride is really good though lack sm basic feature if u want to be low on budgeting....
Stile: solid ride, gives a lot of mental peace, but lack torque and punch.
Palio 1.2 sport: stile+torque+high end feature+ under budget but average is very poor.
Imust say, as an Indian driver, we ppl should not compromise with the security/solidity of the box u are sitting in while making ur ways out of tortuous traffic.... (This reminds me of a line: in UK ppl drive on left, we in India drive on: wat is left).. And this feature is the most neglected one, especially in the maruti line up... Though other tatas and hyundais do follow the suit but the point is: life matters most and one should either pay for it or simply die...After my thorough analysis and calculation (being a banker, and having a 133 IQ, I m not good at anything but crunching numbers), I finally decided let’s be under the budget yet not compromising the ride (I m also a bit philosophical, hehe)... So I finally decided I m gonna buy a good ride, though a second hand one, but it can’t be any maruti/hyundai/tata 'car'....
Now when I reached used-car market, the only thing I was looking for: was a good maintained ride and should be any of above mentioned hatchbacks (not just cars, like they say..)Finally, with gods' grace I find a palio 1.2 sport, silver fog color, fully loaded with brand new redials.... The only lacuna was lack of mileage.....now since I was getting this educated car under 1.6 lacs, I thought this is a huge saving of money, when I have presumed of shelling out 3 lacs+ and sure is a better pay off, whence fulfilling my other criteria..
So I just asked for the keys and test drove it... The moment I opened the doors and closed them I listen a 'thud' of a heavy metal door telling u loudly than u are safer here... Then I switched on its drive by wire ignition and took control of power steering and the guy next to me just put the AC on... With in 2 kms, I was chilled not by the room temperature, which was bought down fast like hawk on his prey but the quality of the ride.. The wheel was a leathered wrapped one and talented, giving u good response... The clutch was more of a foot rest so were the other pedals and a sure comfort for ur ankles. The big hood gave me a feeling like I was driving a big car.....
Since the car was already fitted with a good music system which was unexpectedly so nicely placed tht I wonder, this may be another point where other cars are lacking....The gear shaft was also leather wrapped and with an Italian precision it worked... There was ample head room, leg room and all the rooms..The front/rear wiper with washer is also a handy comfort.... One thing I forgot to tell u that the engine goes off automatically, the moment it collides, god forbid….
Head lights look as good as any c segment car(if not exaggerated), the speedometer, tachometer, trip meter, odometer all are well placed with all other info delivering needles.... The cigarette lighter, cup holder, central locking, power widows (front and rear) , power windows lock for added safety, strategically placed all around the steerer.... And this one ton on radials with 1200 cc and 72 bhp is just near to a perfect conglomeration of beauty and the beast.... Though the punch is very less at row rpms but u cross 3000 mark and this beauty will show how smart it works.....
Rearpassenger Comfort is at its best.... With a powerful ac and huge rooms and solid cabin, the rear passengers feel safe, secure and comfortable.... I drove this car recently from chandigarh to delhi(GT-1), I see that this car maintains its stance irrespective of any speed, her weight helps her to stop fast.... 'A' pillar and 'B' pillars hinders the view with additional help of small mirrors (pun), but ofcourse they let u see the stuff, hehe....Overtaking on highways is not that responsive and thus the car scores less on that front than its peers.... But u will soon see all those peppy cars in ur rear view mirror if u go for a longer term... I drove it at max 115 and still I felt nothing and it was my mother who told me that I m driving fast and I shud slow down a bit....
I have heard a lot about its spare parts problem and servicing comforts.. I went to the market and asked for the stuff, everybody said the things have just got changed.. Not only the parts are available at reasonable rates but with tata ppl , the service centers are plenty.Having said that, I haven't faced a problem yet and some mechanics said it hardly gives u one, even if u treat it a bit rough. Since this car, I got, is 4 years old, it amazes me that it doesnt give me any vague sound sitting in the cabin and gives me a sure feeling that this car is built to last...
And last but not the least, I m not saying this all to let u alter your judgments about other cars but to only help you to go and make a test check about the above....Since stile is just a better looking, with less horses car having all the above features(for fully loaded one) and feelings, it can be your final decision.... And once you drove it, it will be....If its not, u have got a better car!!!
